ITI Bucks The Trend

23 May 2002

Information Technology Institute (ITI) says while recruitment companies are talking about hard times for ITC workers, it’s finding employers are still eager for well rounded IT staff.

ITI is a private training organisation with campuses in Auckland, Taupo, Wellington and Christchurch. National Principal Billy Rodgers says it works in partnership with business to give students sound IT skills and work experience.

Mr Rodgers says one of the key benefits ITI graduates offer employers is that before enrolling at ITI they already have a degree of equivalent work experience in another discipline. He says there is a big demand for well-rounded, business savvy IT staff that have a broader experience than just IT.

“ITI has been established specifically to meet the needs of New Zealand employers and from the calibre of companies we’ve got on board as project partners, it’s certainly filling a gap in the market. Companies who’ve signed on include the likes of Jade, Micro Business Systems and gen-i Ltd in Christchurch, Comacc, Clubmate Software Ltd and Cyberelves in Auckland and CWA New Media and gen-i in Wellington.

“Our project partners tell us they see ITI as a rich new source for recruiting IT staff.”

During the nine-month ITI programme students receive three month’s intensive practical training and then undertaken a six month work project with a local employer. ITI staff provide the intensive academic programme and the ‘just in time’ learning as the student works on real projects. The employer decides what problems the students will work on - but they don’t have to supervise the work experience - ITI does that for them, says Mr Rodgers.

“We are now also offering the Graduate Diploma in IT as a flexible, part-time option. Students have the option of enrolling and paying for modules as and when suits them.

“We are also finding that employers are keen to put staff through the part-time programme. It enables them to retain the use of valuable staff members while they significantly upskill their IT knowledge and ability. It’s motivating for the staff member and they are able to make a much greater contribution to their workplace.”

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